Kite surfing

[V8S]

Was out for a blat last night and happened upon some kite surfers in Weymouth harbour, so, despite not having my 'big lens', decided to get some shots with a Sigma 200 f/2.8 HSM with 5d Mk2. Not ideal but had to do.

I had problems with AI servo keeping the subject sharp as they came towards me though - any tips? With motorsport I usually pre-focus, but I didn't know where the kite surfers were going or when they'd do tricks so that method was out.

I also found that I really should have been on shutter priority as many pics were slightly blurred back on the computer.

Was an enjoyable hour though.


Here's a link to the album and a couple of pics:

Album

[mattley]

Cool pics, do you know who they are so you can send them a copy?

[RobDickinson]

I have AI servo tracking issues with my 350d/70-200f2.8 HSM, I dont think that sigmas are up to it, tho my 350d isnt the best body.

It always focuses on curl behind surfers when i shoot that so I manualy focus.

[jon-]

V8S said:

I had problems with AI servo keeping the subject sharp as they came towards me though - any tips?

I've been reading a fair bit about AF recently and the best tip I've come up with is probably the most useless - buy a nikon. Vastly superior AF, there's no end of complaints regarding autofocus in sports with the 5DMKII and 1Ds

[RobDickinson]

V8S have you enabled the 'helper' AF points via custom funtion? This is exactly what they do I think?

[V8S]

mattley said:

Cool pics, do you know who they are so you can send them a copy?

Yes, I got an email address off both of them when they had finished for the day.

Not heard anything back yet though.

[V8S]

jon- said:

V8S said:

I had problems with AI servo keeping the subject sharp as they came towards me though - any tips?

I've been reading a fair bit about AF recently and the best tip I've come up with is probably the most useless - buy a nikon. Vastly superior AF, there's no end of complaints regarding autofocus in sports with the 5DMKII and 1Ds

I've not read that, but then I don't read a lot about photography nowadays. I guess I ought to start picking up AP again.

[V8S]

RobDickinson said:

V8S have you enabled the 'helper' AF points via custom funtion? This is exactly what they do I think?

I don't think I have, no. I will check this out - thanks.

[horacethefrog]

jon- said:

Vastly superior AF, there's no end of complaints regarding autofocus in sports with the 5DMKII and 1Ds

I'm intrigued - where on earth did you find this 'info'?

[V8S]

To be fair, I've just come across a comment on dpreview about the 5D Mk2 that mentions AI servo not being all it should be.

[RobDickinson]

Nikon tend to have more focus points but the 40/50D focuses faster in single point than the D300/D700, IMO the nikons are better at tracking because they use the colour meeter to help the af track or something.

The 1D are the best so long as it works, assuming the 1DmkIII is fixed now....